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Terry Pratchett's Hogfather: The Illustrated Screenplay by Vadim Jean and Terry Pratchett
01/12/2006 . Source: Phil Jones 
pub: Gollancz. 252 page illustrated hardback. Price: £20.00 (UK only). ISBN: 0-575-07929-0. Buy Terry Pratchett's Hogfather: The Illustrated Screenplay in the USA - or Buy Terry Pratchett's Hogfather: The Illustrated Screenplay in the UK  check out website: www.orionbooks.co.uk
It's that time of year, Hogwatch will be soon upon us and people will go out in search of presents. Battle with the hoards and crowds to shower their loved one's with gifts.
Those of us who are Terry Pratchett fans and especially fans of 'Discworld' will be hoping beyond hope that the first live version of a 'Discworld' novel will meet their high expectations this Christmas.
'Hogfather' has been brought to the screen by Vadim Jean, who wrote the screenplay and directing the two part, four hour mini-series which will be shown over the Christmas season on Sky 1. Staring Sir David Jason as Albert, Nigel Planer as Mr. Sidney and Tony Robinson as Vernon Crumley to name a few of the cast. The CGI is being created by the Moving Picture Company. This has the potential to do 'Discworld' and 'Hogfather' justice.
Anyway I digress, we're here to discuss the screenplay. Written by Vadim Jean who is most probably known for 'Leon The Pig Farmer' has the difficult task of bringing 'Hogfather' to the small screen albeit in HD!
For those who are unfamiliar with 'Hogfather' or 'Discworld', it starts with the mysterious disappearance of the Hogfather as Hogwatch fast approaches. Only one person can fill his shoes and be in multiple places at one time albeit with boney feet. Death realises something has gone dreadfully wrong and children's belief in the Hogfather needs to be sustained if the sun is to rise in the morning. So Death dons a red suit and a false beard and proceeds to climb down chimneys while his assistant Albert puts on false ears and aids death by eating the pork pies and sherry left in homes for the Hogfather. It's left up to Susan the governess to find the Hogfather and restore the sunrise.
The screenplay was not only written by Vadim but, from the sounds of it, was generally mucked about with by Terry Pratchett. So with a large input by the author himself, I think in screenplay terms it's managed to keep the feel and humour of the original book. The one thing that could have ruined this is over explanation of the Discworld universe. I think, overall, this has been kept to a minimum which is good, but I do feel we could have done with a bit more narration. I personally would have liked something akin to a fantasy version of the book in 'Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy', with small asides and cut scenes giving us a more general view of Discworld, but that's just my personal opinion.
The screenplay has captured the wonderful humour of Death and that of the unseen University. We also get a feel for the assassins and thieves guild. There is also a small appearance of the death of Rats which will be interesting to see how it's visualised.
The story itself does provide a social commentary and quite a hard view of life and death with a healthy sprinkle of humour. The book contains some pleasing screenshots and production sketches as well as forwards by Terry Pratchett and Vadim Jean. These give us a small insight of the process of bringing 'Hogfather' to the screen.
So is the book any good? Overall, yes. As screenplays go, this gives you plenty of eye candy as well as a well executed plot. I just hope the final four hours worth of series lives up to all of our expectations. This is the final shooting script, but some of it could have ended up on the cutting room floor. I hope it hasn't as I think as it stands it's well balanced and gives just enough to bring Discworld to life without pandering to the dumb down fraternity. So if you know a Terry Pratchett fan, this could be a present to add to their Hogwatch stocking.
Phil Jones
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